Kite apparatus



Oct. 16', 1945'. J. s. wHx-:ELwRlHT 2,386,752

KITE APPARATUS Filed oct. 5, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 1 Y Oct. 16, 1945. J. s. WHEELWRIGHT 2,386,752

KITE APPARATUS l Filed Oct. 5, li942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 16, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KITE APPARATUS John Sylvester Wheelwright, Tonbridge, England Y Application October 5, 1942, Serial No. 460,793 In Great Britain April 30, 1942 16 Claims. (C1. 244-153) Thisl invention relates to kite-apparatus for projecting and maintaining lines or cables, as in the provision of radio aerials for aircraft dinghies, ships lifeboats, life-saving rafts and the like, or in the raising of a lethal cable barrage lfor defense against aircraft on land or at sea.

The invention has for its main object to provide an improved construction of kite adapted for compact folding to a shape suitable for projection and for automatic unfolding to its flying form when it reaches the limit of extension of the line or cable by which it is to be flown.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover or container in which the folded kite is enclosed for projection, the cover being held around the kite 4by fasteners which are released automatically by the line or cable when extended.

A further object of the invention is to provide a kite-cover or container having a required length of line or cable stowed therein in such a manner as to be capable of being drawn oi without fouling or entanglement while the cover enclosing the folded kite is being projected to the desired height.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter from the following description of a preferred embodiment, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is an elevation of the kite in open condition.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the kite in flying form.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the kite partly folded. u Fig. 4 shows the kite enclosed.

Fig, 5 is an elevation of the cover in open condition.

Fig. 6 shows the cover closed and a rocket connected to the kite enclosed in the cover.

Fig. 7 illustrates the use of the apparatus for kprojecting a kite from an aircraft dinghy.

Figs. 8 to 12 illustrate details of construction as hereinafter described.

Referring to Figs. 1 .and 2, the kite illustrated is of well-known type comprising a substantially iiat main sail a carried by parallel booms b, from the end portions of which a pair of angularly disposed jib sails c extend to a third boom b1 fitted with flying bridles d to which the upper end of the line e is attached by a runner d1. According to'my invention, the kite is provided with a hinged frame having its joints controlled by spring devices in such a way that the kite can be folded compactly for projection to a required height; for this purpose, the kite is fitted with a transverse spar made in two sections ffl which are normally extended in line and partly overlapping so as to maintain the booms b spaced apart and the main sail a in taut condition. The two spar sections are jointed together centrally of the kite by means of a transverse hinge-pin f2, as shown in Fig. 8, a rubber ring f3 being fitted around the joint, if desired; their outer or remote endsare engaged in pockets al at opposite corners of the main sail, and their inner or adjacent ends are fitted, as shown in Fig. 9, with forks f4 pivotally engaged upon slides b2 movable along the booms b, which as well as the members ffl are preferably made of light metal tubing. Springs in the form of bunches of elastic rubber threads g are connected between suitable points f5 on the respective members ffl and the upper ends of the booms b, the tension of these springs urging the members into line so as to overlap between the booms b; by shifting the slides Ab2 downwards along the booms, the members ffl can be brought to crossedrelation, as seen in Fig. 3, against the tension of the springs g, the booms being at the same time caused to approach until in the closed condition shown in Fig. 4 all the -booms blib1 and both spar-sections ffl are substantially parallel and the sails ac can be folded compactly together for enclosure in a cover or container.

The cover h, shown in Figs. 5 and v6, is formed of exible material such as fabric, capable of being wrapped around the folded kite; two or more thicknesses of fabric are employed, these being seamed together longitudinally by Parallel rows of stitching h1 so as to provide a plurality of long and narrow cells h.2 in one or more layers, for example in two layers, as shown in Fig. 10. The number of thicknesses of fabric employed, andv consequently the number of layers of cells between such thicknesses, as well as the number of cells in the layer or in each layer, will depend upon the sizeof kite and the length of line to be packed. Into these pockets the line e is carefully drawn so as to form a series of separate loops extending for substantially the entire length of the cover so that the cord can be subsequently pulled out without fouling or entanglement; one end of the line e is secured to an elastic strop e1 adapted for attachment to a support, the other end being attached to the flying bridles d, as .already stated. The two ends of the line e will emerge from cells at opposite edges of the cover, as seen in Fig. 5, when the number of cell layers is odd, but if there are two, four or other even number of layers, the

as seen more clearly in Fig. ll. These fasteners,H c

which may consist of ordinary split pins, are tied at intervals along the other end of the line le,v near its point of attachment to the flying bridles` d of the kite, so that by a pull upon the line the fasteners can be withdrawn-one' aiter-anotherto Y l allow the unrolling of the cover. Another'simil'ar fastener il, Which is the last to be Withdrawn .by the pull of the line, serves to secure the attach- *nient of the folded kite toa roeket 9' employed for its projection; an auxiliary line e2 of suitable length, for example several feet, is provided. between the wire cable il of the rocketand the point lof attachment upon the'kite, in order to eliminate `danger of the -kite being ignited by thel rocket during flight. lThe lowervend ofthe auxiliary line visshown in'Fig. 12 asbeing formed with an eye 6 3 which-is threaded through cord loops-b3 at the up'pr endsof the booms lb, the fastener 1 being then passed through the projecting eye e3 so as to forni a` quick release devioefor disconnecting the rocket `from the kite after the cover h has been thrown off. e

-Asl-shown' inrFig. 7, the kite, enclosed inits cover or container h, may be projected linto the 'air 'oy means of a rocket apparatus lc,"fired by a pistol lcl operated by the occupier of a dinghy Z, such" as is employed by vaircraft personnel when compelled to descend upon the sea; lThe rocket cable-'jl is seen.v to be coupled tol the-.auxiliary line 'e2 whih -is laid beside theY roller kitee'cover Ih, the latter 'bingpointed inl the saine Ydirection as the rocket, .preferably down-wind; the .elastic strop el. is fastened tothe side ofthe dinghy by means of ashackle 'm and-a fabric patch m11 'ofsuiiicient strengthto resi'stvtlie pull ofthe line e trans mitted through the stropel.

Upon discharge of the pistol k1., the rocket-9 is projected into the air, carryingthe kite'an'dc'over hl Withrit at the-'end of the-'cable` 7'1 ahdlailkliaiy line e2; when .the Strop'e1. is pulled tightfbytthe risel ofthe rocket 7 and'lift of.the!cov'er h,the 'stiop'begins to draw .theline c` out of: the `several cells'hz -in turn until the-entire len'gtli of the line, amounting for `example to more than one hundred feetfor each layer of. cells, hasbeen .withdrawn from the cover h. Thenpull is now appliedtto the upper end portion of the'line havingthe fasteners i tied thereon, so that these fastenersk areY pulled successively out of the coupled members h3h4, leaving the coverV free to unwrap from around the folded .kite and to fall clear. AThe kite now proceeds. to' unfold due to the springs g drawing the spars'ections into theirv normal overlapping rela.- tion .bycausing the slidesnb2 to move along the boomsv b, but at approximately the same moment the pull of the line e releases the last fastener il from the eye e3 so as' to disconnect the rocket from the kite. The rocket then continues on its Way until its energy is eXpended'Vtaking the cable :il and auxiliary line e2 with it, Whilefthe kite soars into .the wiridand exerts a strong pull through: the line e. and strop e1 upon the'sha'ckle mz'onithe dinghy; afp'addle il., included .inthe equipment,

can bev used for steering, and also for propulsion, if necessary.

It will be understood that the invention may be applied to other suitable types of kite, and that the cover or container may take various forms such as a light metal cylinder, acting for example as a projectile; the kite line need not be housed in or upon the cover enclosing the folded kite but maybe drawn up from a reel or other source upon the ground, thereby enabling the yirig height to be determined during the actual projection.

, Any other convenient means may be provided kfor projecting the kite, with its cover or container, into the air; for example, there may be employed a line-throwing piston, a harpoon gun, crossbow or the like, or a compressed air gun. Thesmall rocket apparatus above described, or a line-throwing pistol, is particularly suitable for projecting a kite to be used in raising a radio aerial or signal hoist from a ships lifeboat, dinghy or the like-Where space is restricted. Larger rocket apparatus, guns or co'rnpre'ssed'air projectors may be employed for longer lines or cables; as iii the raising of a kite barrage in defense of positions vulnerable to air attack, enabling the barrage to be established quickly at la height `where suflic'ient wind is likely to be available,- eveii in light or variable weatherconditions when there maybe too-little wind at ground levelfor theiiying'of kites in thecustomary way. l

What I claim is:

1. A kiteY for projection `to Vflying height, com'- prising a jointed frame,A a sail carriedzbysaid frame'sai'd frame and sail being adapted for folding to a compact shape, Aspring means connected to saidk frame atpoints thereof :having relative motion inxthe folding of .said frame, said spring means being' strained by said relative motion and reacting vby Vurging said frame to untold for spreadingsaid-sail, .means for retaining said frame and sail in folded condition against the re-y action of said spring meansa kite lineand means for releasing said retaining means, said releasing means being controlled by said kite line for operation as the projected kite approaches'ying height;` l

2. A kite for projection toilyinglheight, comprisinga jointed frame, a. sail carried byls'aid frame, said frame and sail being adapt'ed'ff folding to a compact shape, spring meansc'onnected to said frame at points thereof having relative motion in the folding of said frame, ,said spring means being strainedby said relative vtion and reacting by urging 'saidfraie 'to unfold for spreading said'saiLa cover adapted toeolose saidlframe and sail in folded condition, `afkiteline, and means controlled by said kitelinior releasing said'cover as the projected kite'i'approachesfilying height. A

3. A kaeufer projecties te flyl'n'gneig'ht, temprising ajoint'ed -frain'epa'. sailloarriedlby said frame, said frame ahd vSail being adapted fof folding to a compact shape, spring 'f rh'eas'onnectd to said frame at points thereof havirlgrelative rnc'ltionI in the folding of ksaid frame, said spring rneansbeing strained by said relative motion reacting. by urging said frame to unfold for spreading said sail, a cover adapted to eilclosesaid frame' and Ysailin folded condition, alrite-line, said cover including means for housing asubstantiallportion ofthe length 4of Asaid Vkite line', :said housing' means adaptedV for-withdrawal `of :Said kiteline portion during projection of thekite;

and vmeans controlled bythewithdrawn kiteline for releasing said cover as the projected kite approaches flying height.

4. A kite for projection to flying height, comprising a pair of parallel booms, a sail carried by said booms, a spar normally spacing said booms apart and keeping said sail extended, said spar including two sections jointed together for folding parallel with said booms to a compact shape, springs connecting said booms to said spar sections and urging them to normal spacing relation, a cover adapted to enclose said booms, spar and sail in folded condition,v a kite line, connections from said kite line to said booms, and means controlled by said kite line for releasing said cover as the projected kite approaches flying height.

5. A kite for projection to flying height, comprising a pair of parallel booms, a sail carried by said booms, a spar normally spacing said booms apart and keeping said sail extended, said spar including two sections jointed together for folding parallel with said booms to a compact shape, slides movable along said booms and guiding the adjacent ends of said spar sections, springs connecting said booms to said spar sections and urging them to normal spacing relation, a third boom, sails extending between said rst mentioned booms and said third boom, a kite line connected to said third boom, a cover adapted to enclose said booms, spar and sail in folded condition, and means controlled by said kite line for releasing said cover as the projected kite approaches flying height.

6. A kite for projection to ying height, comprising a jointed frame, a sail carried by said frame, said frame and sail being adapted for folding to a compact shape, automatic means for unfolding said frame to spread said sail, a cover adapted to enclose said frame and sail in folded condition, a kite-line, said cover including a plurality of parallel pockets for housing looped portions of said kite line for successive withdrawal during projection of the kite, and means controlled by the withdrawn kite line for releasing said cover as the projected kite approaches flying height.

7. A kite for projection to flying height, comprising a jointed frame, a sail carried by said frame, said frame and sail being adapted for folding to a compact shape, spring means connected to said frame at points thereof having relative motion in the folding of said frame, said spring means being strained by said relative motion and reacting by urging said frame to unfold for spreading said sail, a cover adapted to enclose said frame and sail in folded condition, a kiteline, and fasteners normally holding said cover closed, said fasteners being attached to said kite line for automatic release of said cover as the projected kite approaches flying height.

8. A kite for projection to flying height, comprising a jointed frame, a Sail carried by said frame, said frame and sail being adapted for folding to a compact shape, automatic means for unfolding said frarne to spread said sail, a cover adapted to enclose said frame and sail in folded condition, a kite-line, said cover being formed of two thicknesses of fabric seamed together along parallel lines to provide a plurality of narrow pockets, looped portions of said kite line being housed in said pockets for successive withdrawal during projection of the kite, and means for retaining said cover with said looped portions housed in said pockets around said frame and sail in folded condition, said retaining means being released by the withdrawn kite line as the projected kite approaches ying height.

9. In combination, a kite comprising a jointed frame, a sail carried by said frame, said frame and sail being adapted for folding to a compact shape, spring means connected to said frame at points thereof having relative motion in the folding of said frame, said spring means being strained by said relative motion and reacting by urging said frame to unfold for spreading said sail, a cover adapted to enclose said frame and sail in folded condition, a line attached at one end to said kite, an anchorage for the other end of said line, means controlled by said line for maintaining said cover closed, and means for projecting said cover with the enclosed frame and sail, said line operating to release said cover for the automatic unfolding of said frame at a height predetermined by the length of said line.

10. In combination, a kite comprising a jointed frame, a sail carried by said frame, said frame and sail being adapted for folding to a compact shape, spring meansconnected to said frame at points thereof having relative motion in the folding of said frame, said spring means being strained by said relative motion and reacting by urging said frame to unfold for spreading said sail, a cover adapted to enclose said frame and sail in folded condition, a line attached at one end to said kite, an anchorage for the other end of said line, said cover including a plurality of parallel pockets for housing looped portions of said line, disconnectible means for maintaining said cover closed, and means for projecting said cover with the enclosed frame and sail, said line portions being withdrawn from said housing pockets during the projection of said cover and operating at a height predetermined by the length of said line to release said cover for the automatic unfolding of said frame to bring the kite to flying condition.

1l. A collapsible kite comprising a pair of parallel booms, a sail carried by said booms, a

spar for spacing said booms apart and keeping' said sail extended, said spar including two sections jointed together for folding parallel with said booms and elastic members connecting said booms to said spar sections and urging them to normal spacing relation.

12. A collapsible kite comprising a pair of parallel booms, a sail carried by said booms, a spar for spacing said booms apart and keeping said sail extended, said spar including two sections jointed together at a point intermediate their ends for folding parallel to said booms, one end of each said section being engaged in a pocket in said sail and the other end of each said section being provided with a collar slidable on one of said booms, and elastic members connecting said booms to said spar sections and urging them to normal spacing relation.

13. A collapsible kite comprising a pair of parallel booms, a sail carried by said booms, a spar for spacing said boom apart and keeping said sail extended, said spar including two sections jointed together for folding parallel with said booms, elastic members connecting said booms to said spar sections and urging them to normal spacing relation, and a removable cover adapted to retain said booms, sail and spar-sections in folded condition.

JOHN SYLVESTER WHEELWRIGHT. 

